Quarterbacks Baker Mayfield, Cody Thomas and Trevor Knight go through drills during the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) football practice at the rugby fields in Norman, Okla., on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

NORMAN — As Oklahoma walk-on quarterback Baker Mayfield battles to gain immediate eligibility, he has a powerful partner by his side.

Mayfield’s family has hired Jim Darnell, the attorney who represented Johnny Manziel last season and has plenty of experience going head-to-head with the NCAA.

The family is hoping to have Mayfield declared eligible through an appeal to the NCAA. But if the NCAA denies the appeal, the case could go to court.

“I’ve done it and I’ve had some success with it,” Darnell said. “I take a look at all of them. Coaches are oftentimes getting (mistreated). They’ve got a little bit of leeway to fight but kids don’t have any. Sometimes you’ve got to jump in and get into the fight because it’s the right thing to do and this is one of those fights that’s the right thing to do.”

The Mayfields learned about Darnell through his connection with Manziel.

“It’s not like he’s soft on the NCAA,” James Mayfield, Baker’s father, said.

Manziel was accused of being paid for signing autographs before last season. After hiring Darnell, he was eventually suspended for one half of the Aggies’ season-opener against Rice but missed no more time.

Darnell is based out of El Paso, Texas, but grew up in Oklahoma City.

The Mayfields filed paperwork with the NCAA last week after making a last attempt at convincing Texas Tech to change its stance on Mayfield’s transfer.

“If they wanted to take care of this kid, they could have done it right,” Darnell said. “Anybody, any other student could decide they wanted to leave Texas Tech and go to OU and could just walk away. Because he played football, not because they gave him anything—he never even got a meal—they’re going to try to block him from playing and block his ability to get financial aid. That’s insane. That can’t be right.”

They are hoping to hear back from the NCAA in a matter of days.

Mayfield met with Darnell twice in Norman recently before the paperwork was filed.

Texas Tech blocked the transfer and as things stand right now, Mayfield stands not only to have to sit out this season but lose a season of eligibility because of that stance.

“Whether people like Baker Mayfield or not or OU, it’s really about the silliness of the rules and how the coaches and institutions and the NCAA engage in this,” James Mayfield said.

The Mayfields claim Baker should be considered a non-recruited athlete and thus eligible for a one-time transfer exemption.

Mayfield appealed to a committee of Texas Tech administrators, professors and community members in January, but that appeal was denied. The restrictions on Mayfield transferring to another Big 12 school were upheld.

MORE FROM NEWSOK

by Ryan Aber

OU Athletics Reporter

Ryan Aber has worked for The Oklahoman since 2006, covering high schools, the Oklahoma City RedHawks, the Oklahoma City Barons and OU football recruiting. An Oklahoma City native, Aber graduated from Northeastern State. Before joining The...